On a Weeds Field trip to the Central Coast today to see Sicilian Sea Lavender –Limonium hyblaeum (Plumbaginaceae) – in situ at Saratoga Nature Reserve before its eradication. This invasive species which destroys native salt marsh species, has already taken hold in Victoria . Fortunately it has only been recorded in NSW at Saratoga and Lake Conjelligo. Thanks to Nicola Nixon for organising the trip.

Seen on the walk to Henry Head today: Woody pears and banksia emerging after recent fires; Endiandra sieberi (Corkwood) along with tree ferns at Happy Valley creek; Chloanthes stoechadis recovering very slowly after being cut out in 2006; new sign at the entry to the Orica track to Cape Banks; Endeavour lighthouse and Henry Head fortifications; Hybanthus monopetalus; Wet n Wild near the Minmi wreck Cape Banks; scenes of Bare Island with Banks (revetment wall)Norfolk Pine Macquarie Watchtower Museum and monument.

Tree ferns now tower over the bridge but weed extensive, eg. near the Corkwood – Endiandra sieberi

Results: Dissolved Oxygen at 11% was well below the boundary limit. Turbidity and Temperature readings at 15 and 23 respectively were fine. Electrical conductivity at 560 was higher than usual. Available phosphate at 0.09 was expected given the extensive weed and runoff. The e-coli count was around the usual.

The drifting ship, propelled by winds reaching 70 miles per hour, left a trail of destruction behind, cutting the mooring of the OOCL Hong Kong, and ultimately slamming into a stationary Safmarine ship, the Makutu. The strong winds then turned the Kiel Express, causing a side-by-side collision with the 62,000 tonne Makutu.

The OOCL Hong Kong was anchored away from the docks, with the unsecured containers on board the vessel preventing the tug boat crews to tow it further out to sea.

The ships have reportedly suffered only surface damage. The port’s two cranes that had been hit in the process are also not extensively damaged, and are deemed operational.